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What we’re reading: Best women’s health books in July

Top summer reads to enjoy this month

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There is nothing quite as decisive as the summer reading list. With a mix of buzzy new releases and beloved bestsellers, we have the perfect edit of women’s health books for you.

 

Living PCOS Free: How to regain your hormonal health with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (£13.19)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide, affecting at least one in ten women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It is the number one cause of infertility. Alarmingly, three in four of those with PCOS remain undiagnosed because of the complex nature of the condition.

This practical guide will show you how to successfully manage your condition using proven lifestyle approaches alongside western medicine. With over 35 years’ of clinical experience, Dr Nitu Bajekal, AKA ‘the ‘Plant-Based Gynae,’ breaks through misinformation, providing clarity and support to help you tackle your symptoms – from irregular periods to acne and anxiety. The book features an easy-to-follow 21-day plan for hormonal health along with plant-based recipes and illuminating case histories.

 

Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men (£9.34)

Imagine a world where your phone is too big for your hand, where your doctor prescribes a drug that is wrong for your body, where in a car accident you are 47 per cent more likely to be seriously injured, where every week the countless hours of work you do are not recognised or valued.

If any of this sounds familiar, chances are that you’re a woman. Invisible Women shows us how, in a world largely built for and by men, we are systematically ignoring half the population. It exposes the gender data gap – a gap in our knowledge that is at the root of perpetual, systemic discrimination against women, and that has created a pervasive but invisible bias with a profound effect on women’s lives.

Award-winning campaigner and writer Caroline Criado-Perez brings together for the first time an impressive range of case studies, stories and new research from across the world that illustrate the hidden ways in which women are forgotten, and the impact this has on their health and well-being.

From government policy and medical research, to technology, workplaces, urban planning and the media, Invisible Women reveals the biased data that excludes women. In making the case for change, this powerful and provocative book will make you see the world anew.

 

Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine And Mythn in a Man-Made World (£12.40)

 

In Unwell Women, Elinor Cleghorn unpacks the roots of the perpetual misunderstanding, mystification and misdiagnosis of women’s bodies, and traces the journey from the ‘wandering womb’ of ancient Greece, the rise of witch trials in Medieval Europe, through the dawn of Hysteria, to modern day understandings of autoimmune diseases, the menopause and conditions like endometriosis. Packed with character studies of women who have suffered, challenged and rewritten medical orthodoxy – and drawing on her own experience of un-diagnosed Lupus disease – this is a ground-breaking and timely exposé of the medical world and woman’s place within it.

 

Cracking Menopause:While Keeping Yourself Together (£14.49)

It’s time for us to start talking about the menopause. Cracking the Menopause, from straight-talking broadcaster Mariella Frostrup and health journalist Alice Smellie, has all the information you need, delivered with characteristic wry humour. Mariella shares her own journey through the menopause, along with the latest science, advice from leading experts and humorous illustrations – to provide an informative source of wisdom and enlightenment.

Featuring case studies from women in every walk of life and all stages of their menopause journey, Cracking the Menopause opens up the conversation about an urgent topic that half the population will experience, but barely anyone is talking about. Designed to equip you with the knowledge to manage your symptoms from perimenopause onwards, this essential book separates the myths from the reality and offers expertise, hope and advice.

 

Arrival Stories:Women Share Their Experiences of Becoming Mothers (£18.52)

A wide range of women – actors, athletes, academics, CEOs, writers, small-business owners, birth workers, physicians, and activists – share their experiences of becoming mothers in this multifaceted, moving, and revealing collection.

Throughout her difficult pregnancy and following her frightening labor experience, Amy Schumer found camaraderie and empowerment in hearing birth stories from other women, including those of her friend Christy Turlington Burns. Turlington Burns’s work in maternal health began after she experienced a childbirth-related complication in 2003 – an experience that would later inspire her to direct and produce the documentary feature film No Woman, No Cry, about the challenges women face throughout pregnancy and childbirth around the world.

It is through Schumer and Turlington Burns’s conversations that the idea for Arrival Stories was born. By sharing their experiences, the contributors to Arrival Stories offer an informative and deeply affecting account of what it feels like when a woman first realises she is a mother.

The collection features essays by:

Serena Williams – Alysia Montaño – Abby G. Lopez – Amber Tamblyn – Shilpa Shah – Christy Turlington Burns – Emily Oster – Emma Hansen – Leslie Feist – Amanda Williams – Angel Geden – Adrienne Bosh – Latham Thomas – Rachel Feinstein – Ashley Graham – Jill Scott – Jennie Jeddry and Kim DeLise – La La Anthony – Shea Williams – Sienna Miller – Katrina Yoder – Amy Schumer

Intimate and urgent, Arrival Stories offers a panoramic view of motherhood and highlights the grave injustices that women of colour face in maternal healthcare. It is the perfect book for any expectant or new mother, or for anyone who knows and loves one.

Books

OPULIS: An iconic tribute to Microsoft women in leadership

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Most books tell stories. OPULIS: Women Powering Microsoft’s Trillion-Dollar Shift builds legacies.

This collector’s edition coffee table masterpiece honours 50 women who powered Microsoft’s trillion-dollar shift.

They democratised computing, reimagined leadership, and turned platforms into pathways for generations to follow.

But here’s why owning it isn’t just about having a book on your shelf. It’s about status. Credibility. Legacy. And impact.

Top 10 Reasons You Need OPULIS

  1. A Collector’s Edition of Beauty : Designed as a coffee table artifact. Owning it signals you value art, legacy, and leadership.
  2. Instant Bragging Rights Upgrade: Walk into any boardroom with OPULIS and people know you’ve got access to trillion-dollar playbooks.
  3. Influence by Association: You’re not just reading about leaders you’re learning directly from 50 Microsoft trailblazers.
  4. A Respect Magnet : Owning OPULIS shows you invest in wisdom. Respect follows instantly.
  5. 150 Field-Tested GTM Strategies: Real plays. No fluff. These are Microsoft-tested strategies you can apply directly to your role, company, or career.
  6. Your Mirror of Possibility: These women started just like you. Reading their journeys builds instant belief: “If they did it, so can I.”
  7. The Ultimate Coaching Companion: Mentors and leaders will use OPULIS as ready-made case studies, frameworks, and sparking conversations.
  8. Respected Leadership Pathways: This isn’t inspiration alone. It’s the roadmap to navigating challenges, unlocking sponsors, and scaling influence.
  9. Archival Power: OPULIS is archived by Microsoft. Owning it means you hold a piece of tech history.
  10. Legacy & Impact in One Purchase: Every copy fuels AI scholarships. Your purchase directly helps unlock 1,000 AI careers by 2030.

Advanced Praises by Industry Leaders & Allies

“OPULIS is a powerful tribute to the women whose visionary leadership helped shape Microsoft’s trillion-dollar transformation.

“It’s more than a book—it’s a movement to democratize opportunity, inspire inclusive innovation, and ignite the next generation of AI leaders.” – Billy Anders, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft, Cloud + AI

“If you’ve ever wondered how trillion-dollar markets are built, look no further.

“The women of OPULIS did it, and this book showcases how it was done and how it will be done next!” – Pat Sullivan, Global Digital Engineering Lead, EY

“Legacy isn’t about fame. It is about impact. OPULIS proves that when women lead with purpose, we all rise, open doors, and keep them open for the next generation.” – Coco Brown, Founder & CEO, Athena Alliance

The OPULIS Legacy Bundle: 5-Pack Offer

Don’t just own OPULIS—elevate yourself and four others into the most influential network of our time.

Why? Because power multiplies when it’s shared.

  • Keep one as your collector’s edition.
  • Gift one to your boss or sponsor (instant credibility).
  • Gift one to a mentee or rising leader (they’ll never forget it).
  • Gift one to a client or partner (strengthen trust and status).
  • Gift one to a family member or friend (legacy in action).

With the 5-Pack, you’re not buying books—you’re building a circle of people who think, act, and lead at the highest level.

Pre-Order by October 20, 2025 and Unlock Bonuses

  • 5 Collector’s Edition Copies of OPULIS
  • Iconic Leadership Assessment (for 5 people)
  • Recognition on the Official OPULIS Page
  • “Featured Supporter” Digital Badge
  • Spotlight on Women in Cloud’s Global Channels
  • Exclusive Mentoring Session with OPULIS Honourees
  • Contribution to the AI Innovator Scholarship Program (help ignite 1,000 AI careers by 2030)

The Personal Impact of Owning OPULIS

  • Status: You belong in elite leadership circles.
  • Respect: You’re seen as a champion of women’s leadership and AI innovation.
  • Influence: You and your circle gain access to Microsoft’s trillion-dollar playbooks.
  • Legacy: Each book you gift creates future leaders.
  • Exclusivity: Early adopters unlock recognition, access, and lifetime bragging rights.

Claim your 5-Pack today. Don’t just buy a book, create a movement.

Launch Date: October 28, 2025.

Pre-Order Deadline for Bonuses: October 20, 2025.

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Women in Cloud unveils 50-year tribute to women driving Microsoft’s trillion-dollar market shift

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As part of celebrating Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary, Women in Cloud, with endorsement from Microsoft and the Microsoft Alumni Network, proudly unveils OPULIS, a stunning global coffee table book honouring 50 women whose leadership, innovation, and vision helped shape Microsoft’s evolution and who are now championing the democratisation of computing and AI access for the next generation.

Launched under the #empowHER50 campaign, OPULIS will debut globally during Microsoft Giving Month in October 2025. The making of OPULIS was never about creating a vanity list. It is a legacy tribute, a powerful signal to every Microsoft woman, today and for the next 50 years: You belong. You have an impact. Your story matters.

Unlike traditional honours based on status, the women featured in OPULIS were selected for their significance and their ability to drive meaningful transformation within Microsoft and across the broader tech industry.

Their stories are preserved not only in print but also through purpose: net proceeds of book sales will fund Microsoft AI Certification Scholarships for women, helping underserved talent access the AI-powered economy and shape the future of technology.

Built on the Philosophy of Significance

OPULIS was not created to celebrate status, but significance. Each honouree was selected based on her ability to create systemic change, drive measurable outcomes, take responsibility for opening doors, and engage deeply in building inclusive access to innovation.

This guiding philosophy is rooted in the FIRE Framework (Focus, Impact, Responsibility, Engagement) ensures the stories in OPULIS reflect transformational leadership that spans decades and disciplines.

Chaitra Vedullapalli, Executive Producer of OPULIS & President, Women in Cloud, said: “OPULIS captures the stories of Microsoft’s women who democratized access and transformed the lives of billions. These are the architects of access, the builders of innovation, and the catalysts for an inclusive AI future. Their stories inspire and ignite action.”

A Permanent Chapter in Microsoft’s History

OPULIS will be officially archived in the Microsoft Archives and Museum, serving as a timeless tribute to the women who helped shape the company’s journey and our collective future. This will preserve the stories of the women who helped shape the company’s culture, technology, and global influence.

Letty Cherry, General Manager, Image & Culture, Microsoft, said: “OPULIS is a permanent marker in Microsoft’s historical canon honouring leaders whose contributions deserve to be seen, studied, and remembered.”

Launching During Microsoft Giving Month With Purpose

Timed to coincide with the 2025 Microsoft Giving Campaign, OPULIS will mobilise global attention to fuel impact. Each book purchased directly supports AI skilling scholarships, enabling hundreds of women to access the tools and readiness needed to lead in the next wave of cloud and AI innovation.

Nathalie D’Hers, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Digital, said: “This book is about purpose-driven legacy. OPULIS ensures that the stories of these remarkable women build access for others. It is a celebration with intention and impact.”

Manuela Papadopol, Executive Director, Microsoft Alumni Network, added: “OPULIS is the fuel for alumni and future changemakers. A powerful nod to the women who built Microsoft’s foundation and a wink to those about to shake things up next.” –

Campaign Milestones
  • Global Launch: As part of its legacy-building mission, OPULIS will be officially archived in the Microsoft Archives and Museum, preserving these stories for generations to come. The global book launch will take place on October 28, 2025, during Microsoft Giving Season.
  • Funding the Future: Through its “Books to Scholarships” model, OPULIS is also a purpose-driven movement: every 10 books sold funds one AI Certification Scholarship for women, with a goal of igniting 1,000 AI careers by 2030, further cementing OPULIS as a legacy with purpose.
  • Global OPULIS Book Launch Tour: This tour kicks off in India on December 3, 2025, celebrating honourees and advancing the mission of economic access and digital equity.
  • Honouree Engagement: Award ceremonies, book signings, and thought leadership platforms
Congratulations to the 50 Honourees!

Aliesha Pulliam, Emcee, Speaker, Actress and Founder of Career Divas Collective

Anna Kopp, Microsoft Digital Lead Germany, Microsoft

Aparana Gupta, Principal Software Engineering Manager, Microsoft

Brea Starmer, Chief Executive Officer, Lions & Tigers

Chaitra Vedullapalli President, Women in Cloud

Claudia Martinez, Global Director of AI Marketing, SAP

Cloe Zeng, Chief Growth Officer, The Gottman Institute

Debbie Uttecht, Partner Marketing Lead, Microsoft

Dee Dee Walsh, Developer & AI Marketing, Growth Acceleration Partners

Doher Drizzle Pablo, Founder, Techbayanihan

Elaine Q. Chang, Technical Advisor to Chief Communications Officer, Microsoft

Erin Chapple (Bourke-Dunphy), Corporate Vice President, Commercial Solution Areas, Microsoft

Gavriella Schuster, Managing Director, Gavriella Schuster, LLC

Gena G., Senior Product Manager, Microsoft

Helen Fanucci, Founder & CEO, Pipeline Power

Jacqui Miranda, Head of Asia Corporate Segment, Microsoft

Jane Boulware, Chief Marketing Officer, The Gottman Institute

Jenny Lay-Flurrie Vice President, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft

Jessica Rafuse Director of Strategic Partnerships & Policy, Microsoft

Joanne Harrell, Board member, Advisor, First Lady of City of Seattle and Adjunct Professor, UW Foster School of Business

Karen Bergin, Senior Director, Employee Engagement and Disaster Response, Microsoft

Karen Fassio, Principal, Abundant Marketing Collective

Karen Cone, Venture Partner, Board Director, Advisor, Mastersfund™, Fyrii, AffableBPM Corporation, Pagedip

Kate Maxwell, General Manager, Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft

Kathy D., Director, Accessibility, Accommodations & Inclusive Experiences, Microsoft

Lakecia Gunter, Tech Executive and Corporate Board Director, IDEX

Letty Katchen Cherry , Partner and GM, Image & Culture, Microsoft

Lotte Cordt Ihlemann, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft

Maggie Chan Jones, Corporate Board Director BT Group , Sage , Ontinue , (USTA) United States Tennis Association

Manuela Papadopol, Executive Director, Microsoft Alumni Network

Melissa Mulholland, Chief Executive Officer, Crayon

Michele Plaia, AI Business Solutions Sales Leader, Microsoft

Michelle Pruitt, Chief Digital and AI Officer, PLIXXA

Michelle Thomas, President & CEO, MichelleFThomas LLC

Miri Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Empressa AI

Monika Mital Gupta , Partner GM, Engineering, Microsoft

Nathalie D’Hers, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Digital, Microsoft

Nickie Smith, ACC President, Be Bold for Change USA

Nitasha Chopra Vice President and COO, Business Applications, Microsoft

Njideka U. Harry, Founder, Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) & Global VP & Leadership Group Member, Ashoka

Patti Thibodeau, Archivist, Microsoft

Sabina Nawaz CEO Nawaz Executive Consulting

Shannon Huffman Polson, Author, CEO, Veteran, The Grit Institute

Sharmila Rathinam, Founder and CEO, EatHappy

Sherlaender Phillips, Founder and CEO, FullCircle Leadership Group

Simi Olabisi, Director, Azure AI, Microsoft

Stacy Tatem (She/Her), Founding Member, Empressa AI

Tameka M., Director, Microsoft

Trish Millines Dziko, Co-founder and Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation

Yanna Andronopoulou, General Manager Greece Cyprus Malta, Microsoft

Now Available: The OPULIS Network Special: 5-Book Bundle

You can hold a piece of history by pre-ordering bundles of OPULIS by Oct 20th. Individual book orders will be available starting Oct 25th, 2025.

You can reach out to our VIP relationship manager at [email protected] and we will customise the perfect bulk orders for you.

Visit our website for more information: https://womenincloud.com/opulis

#WICxAI Innovator  Microsoft Certification Program

Through our unique Books to Scholarships model, every 10 copies of OPULIS purchased funds 1 full scholarship, delivering next-generation AI skills to underrepresented talent worldwide with a goal of igniting 1,000 AI careers by 2030. To unlock access for women across the world, this scholarship will now be offered completely free or 50% subsidised based on eligibility. Apply before Oct 30th, 2025 to be eligible. The first cohort of 100 members will start on Nov 15th, 2025.

To learn more: https://womenincloud.com/workforce/

Want to be involved? Join the book launch team and help amplify these untold stories of impact. Learn more and get involved today!

 

 

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Books

Five women’s health books to read this summer

Here are the women’s health books you don’t want to miss this summer

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There is nothing quite as decisive as the summer reading list. With a mix of buzzy new releases and beloved bestsellers, we have the perfect edit of women’s health books for you.

 

All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us about Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Elizabeth Comen

Memorial Sloan Kettering oncologist and medical historian, Dr Elizabeth Comen, draws back the curtain on the collective medical history of women to reintroduce us to our whole bodies, how they work, the actual doctors and patients whose perspectives and experiences laid the foundation for today’s medical thought and the many oversights that still remain unaddressed.

With a physician’s knowledge and empathy, Comen follows the road map of the eleven organ systems to share unique and untold stories, drawing upon medical texts and journals, interviews with expert physicians, as well as her own experience treating thousands of women.

Empowering women to better understand ourselves and advocate for care that prioritises healthy and joyful lives, All in Her Head is written with humour, wisdom and deep scientific and cultural insight.

Everything You Need to Know About the Pill (but were too afraid to ask) by Kate Muir 

Everything You Need to Know About the Pill (but were too afraid to ask) is the thinking-woman’s guide to contraception, bringing you answers to all those questions that have been hidden behind a veneer of misplaced shame, bad science and centuries of patriarchy.

Muir draws on interviews with the leading medical experts in the field, interlaced with her own journey with different types of contraception and the personal stories of women from all walks of life.

She also questions why the current medical establishment is getting contraception so wrong, as she debunks the myths and exposes the sloppy science and headlines that have had a negative impact on women’s health in the last decades.

Finding Me in Menopause: Flourishing in Perimenopause and Menopause using Nutrition and Lifestyle by Dr Nitu Bajekal

This uniquely inclusive approach to finding yourself in the perimenopause years draws on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine that women from all backgrounds can use to live their best lives.

Finding Me in Menopause seeks to help women identify and manage stress, understand how sleep affects our hormones, the role of exercise in our lives, and the importance of maintaining positive social connections for our mental health.

It features dietary support, which draws on the science and power of plant-based nutrition, and each chapter concludes with a “Menopause Mantra”, a list of the top self-help tips to implement and a positive affirmation.

Eve: How The Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon

In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex.

Bohannon’s findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialised world are rearranging women’s pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, promises to change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species.

The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause by Dr Louise Newson 

This revised and expanded edition of Dr Louise Newson’s bestselling book has all the information and advice you need to understand the impact of low hormone levels on your perimenopause symptoms as well as on your future health post-menopause.

There’s an up-to-date guide to HRT doses, how to deal with HRT availability fluctuations, new research on testosterone and its benefits beyond libido boosting and startling findings on how low hormones can increase our propensity towards addictive behaviours.

New interviews with experts, including Dr Lisa Mosconi, discuss pertinent questions, such as whether HRT can reduce the risk of dementia, and new case studies from Newson Health reveal essential research on how hormone imbalance can impact the neurodivergent brain.

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